Metal Magic

By: Brian Barr

Narrated by: Rick Gregory

Length: 1 hr and 3 mins

Publisher's Summary

A metal guitarist is gifted with a guitar grimoire, which he inherited from his late father's library. With careful reading, practice, and commitment, this strange occult book could make him the greatest musician in the world...if the magic works in his favor.

©2017 Brian Barr (P)2017 Brian Barr

Bang your head, shred your axe, and cast a spell

This piece by Barr is slick, and really flows. The concept is just great, and I think it is a kernal of a concept for wat could be a most brilliant novel. A grimoire that has music sheets?!? Magic through metal!?! Awesome! The story is just a touch R rated with a great big capitalized, italicized, Bolded R. In other words, this aint for the kiddies. My ONLY complaint is that the book was too short, I wanted more. I wanted to see the Main Character grow in his power and fulfill a great destiny. Still, the ending was satisfying.

Gregory, here, really does do a great job. He throws out some new voices, and adds a lot of emotion to the story. That was the biggest complant I had with him in a prior story he did for Barr, and here he proves he can step into the ring, put on his gloves, and fire off one heck of an uppercut into your jaw.

Even though I did receive a promo code for this review it in no way influenced my considerations of the material, and in fact, inspired me to be more honest. In fact, getting a code generally makes me harsher as a reviewer as I am more often concerned what someone like Me will decide based on my review.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Loved it!

Somewhat humorous and massively gory, as is Barr's usual wont, this story took a slightly campy theme (music and magic) and turned it to the dark side. Very entertaining and well read, I would definitely recommend to my horror- loving friends.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Nice horror and metal story

I received a free copy of this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.

The only thing that Kevin Nolan shared with his deceased father was their love for metal music. Kevin’s father had a guitar grimoire with many spells for different things. Kevin never believed in magic, but his girlfriend convinces him to try one of them just to see what happens.

This is one of those stories which seem a bit too short. I would have liked to explore more the grimoire and the spells. Something I found interesting is the kind of flashback Kevin experiences through his father’s eyes and the moment he witnesses the truth.

I missed some character development, but this is quite normal in a short story. Nevertheless Barr made a good job at picturing Kevin’s family and the relationships among them.

What did not completely convince me was the end. There are some unexplained aspects and I think it was a but rushed.

Rick Gregory’s performance was perfect, delivering very good characters’ interpretations and an excellent narration without being intrusive.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Weird and Fun

Brian Barr has a very specific brand of horror that I really enjoy. A bizarre plot, a metal musician attempts to use an occult book to make himself the greatest musician in the world, 'Metal Magic,' is both fun and totally weird. If you like your short form horror with a big dose of comedy, then 'Metal Magic' and Brain Barr generally are both for you! Rick Gregory always delivers a fantastic performance and he does not disappoint here.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Unexpected

I find myself at a loss for words. The end of this story rushes out of left field to smash your face into the dirt.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Strange but Interesting

This story is a bit weird, but I like it. Imagine if the old rumors about heavy metal music were true: it’s Devil worship, it’s violent, it’s for evil people, etc. This story follows a father and son united by their love of metal, but separated by both a generation and the roots of their passion. Add to it a bit of Oedipus Complex and you have the foundation of this story.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Be careful what you play

This was a very good short story. Magic, Metal and Demons what more could you ask for. Rick Gregory did a great job narrating this story. Brian Barr delivers as Metal Magic is both humorous, touching and hardcore in some areas, looking at you dad. Even though it is classified as horror I wouldn't go that far but more like a good story with a touch of horror elements, again looking at you father. This was a great short listen and looking forward to more. I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

very short but entertaining story

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Short, metal-themed, humorous horror story. The narrator was a bit nasal, but I thought he did a good enough job on such a short audio book. I do wish it was a longer because it didn't have enough build up or character development. I would never use credits to pick up an audio book this short, but it would be a great fit for an anthology.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A Good 1hr Listen

If you could sum up Metal Magic in three words, what would they be?

***I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review***
Metal. Magic. Mayhem.

What did you like best about this story?

***I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review***
The title really got my attention, as I am a Metal Fan and recall one of Pantera's first album's in the 80's being called Metal Magic. Heh.I really enjoyed the first part of the book when the main character is remembering his father and you are given a vivid description of him. It was bittersweet and amusing and then the horror starts...

How did the narrator detract from the book?

***I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review***
I didn't feel that the narrator was a good fit for the book, as he has quite a nasal, whiny voice and he tended to narrate. In. A Robotic. Voice which I found distracting. I wasn't convinced when the narrator used cuss words, it just sounded like little kids mimicking someone tough, trying too hard to sound tough themselves.
I felt a narrator with more of a deep, gravelly voice would be more suitable (think Michael Kramer who narrated Triptych by Karin Slaughter or Steven Lang who narrated Heart Shaped Box by Joe Hill).

If you could rename Metal Magic, what would you call it?

I think Metal Magic was a great name for the book, it doesn't need to be changed. Gun to head - call it Grimoire.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Heavy Metal

I enjoyed this very short thriller but wished was longer with more character development. You never know what your family does outside your home this is what Kevin experiences his father life he never knew about. Good narration. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Metal Magic

I would never have dreamed I’d like this; from the cover or the blurb and I’m not a Metal fan either, but if you’re in the same boat, don’t let that put you off!!
I did enjoy it, it’s well read (although sometimes the pauses are a little long for me; possibly page turning moments?), the voices are good and atmosphere well set.
The story is great too, it doesn’t matter that it’s set in a ‘Metal’ background! Brian let’s you into his imagination and it’s a great place to be invited into!
This is an honest review of a free review copy